Can you guarantee that the completed building will match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations?

• Why or why not?

The performance of a completed building may not match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations because there are a number of factors that can impact the daily operational performance state. Developing a building analysis requires obtaining information on the varying factors that can impact the performance of the structure. Additionally, there could also be policies or requirements by the local jurisdiction that can affect the actual building performance in its day-to-day operations. These unforeseen factors can cause the actual building performance to vary drastically from the predicted model if not enough data is collected.

When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?

How can you use Insight feedback to make design choices regarding materials, lighting, PV, etc.?

4D simulations are often used to show the construction sequence for an entire project, but shorter simulations that focus on a specific period of time are also useful.

• Can you provide examples of how a simulation that focuses on a 1 or 2 week period could be useful for planning?

What level of detail should be included in a 4D simulation?

• Should you include all of the elements in the building model?

How can the feedback shown in a 4D simulation help you to optimize the project schedule?

• What are the main benefits of linking model elements to the project schedule?

The feedback shown in a 4D simulation can help designers to optimize the project schedule by understanding how and in what order the building components will come together to get built, which allows them to identify alternative construction sequences that could be implemented to optimize the project schedule. This could be achieved by identifying the building components with construction sequences that could be moved around to optimize the project schedule. One of the main benefits of linking model elements to the project schedule is that the designers/contractors can visually identify components of the project schedule and relate it directly to the building elements. Additionally, the project schedule can be updated in real time, which will correspondingly shift the construction sequence in real time, and allow stakeholders to be updated of changes to the project schedule as well. This will help to reduce any delays in the development/updates of the project schedule, and enable clearer communication/coordination between the designers and contractors.

How can model-based quantity takeoff improve the design process?

How can designers improve their designs using the information provided by preliminary estimates of the cost of building their design ideas?

Model-based quantity takeoff can improve the design process by streamlining the process of updating cost estimates associated with building components. This provides a visual of the building components associated with each cost estimate for both the designers and contractors, which allows for better coordination and a more transparent line of communication between the stakeholders on a project. Additionally, this allows the quantity takeoffs to be updated in real time (by anyone during the duration of the project). As a result, this enables designers to be able to modify/change their designs using the information provided by the (preliminary) cost estimates (in real time) and understand how their changes affects the quantity takeoffs, which allows for the possibility of more refined designs, without requiring a substantial amount of additional time and effort.